About Todd Nielsen

Todd Nielsen helps organizations create miracles of success and profitability through the power of execution. Having served as Vice-President, President, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, and Chief Executive Officer of organizations, he has learned how to create a culture that "Gets Things Done." He is passionate about leadership, and is a dynamic and inspirational speaker.

Comments

  1. Jan spring says:

    Spot on and that is why I wear a suit. I notice you do, too.

  2. Excellent Article! Thankful I came across this today!

    For me it is easy to read this and think, “Yeah, I wish I could pass this on to someone,” when in reality I need to read it and become introspective. Thanks for the challenge!

    Noah Lomax
    http://www.noahlomax.com

  3. Steve Wickens says:

    Great blog!

    This “environment of fear” that many companies have created, where employees (management and non-management) are expected to work, and even be on call, for ridiculous periods of time each week, is creating a very dangerous and unsettled work environment. At best, a strong possibility that the worst corporate offenders are at a high risk of losing huge numbers of their best employees when the economy finally does turn the corner. At worst, an environment is being created that is potentially advantageous for a resurgence in unions – particularly those moving into the non-traditional office environment. If government legislation is not seen as enough to protect employee rights and cap this behavior, then employees will look to other avenues when they feel that corporate greed has reached a level where their work-life balance or health is being placed at risk.

    It used to be common practice for companies to reference their employees as being their most important or most valuable assets on their internet and intranet sites, and in company literature. Now you see such references only rarely, and generally only by companies that are recognized as being the best to work for.

    Some companies are under a misguided notion that by working their employees 50, 60, 70, or even 80 hours a week in virtual perpetuity, they are saving vast amounts of money, and “ruding headcount”. The reality is far from the truth. The productivity of a worker begins to decline very rapidly beyond 50 hours, error and defect rates increase, sound business judgement becomes impaired, and the incidence of sickness, stress, and fatigue increases significantly.

    When you’re working these long hours, and then factoring in commuting times, there is scarcely adequate time for family commitments. There is zero time for enhancing or maintaining your skills. As a result, your true marketable skills level is actually in decline versus your peers.

  4. Sharon Kaye says:

    Excellent observations. You make some great points that are worth pondering.

  5. Kraig Strom says:

    Your point about work attire resonated with me. The way one presents themselves, both in and away from the office is important. A person who obviously does not care what they look like gives an impression that they may not care about other details in their life including work.

    • Todd Nielsen says:

      Good point Kraig. One thing I always try to remember, is that an opportunity may present itself no matter where I am and sometimes you only get one chance to make a good impression.